Quixote Center Team
Kelly Dassow, the Quixote Center’s Operations Manager, has been managing projects for nonprofit organizations for the past ten years. Most recently, she served as General Manager at the Maryland Academy of Technology and Health Sciences. Previous to that, she worked in varying capacities including program management, fund development, and information technology in her home state of North Carolina. Kelly’s current responsibilities include accounting for the Quixote Center’s finances, managing state and federal compliance requirements, and assisting with fundraising efforts. Kelly is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Business Administration from Morgan State University.
Roz Fischer managed the Nicaraguan Cultural Alliance at the Quixote Center for seven years until the program moved to Baltimore in 2011. She remains at the QC in a part-time capacity, handling all publications orders, helping with mailings, and performing various supporting functions.
Andrew Hochhalter found the Quixote Center in a very unusual way, and he’ll tell you the tale in person if you ask to hear it. Story aside, in January 2011 he started as a volunteer answering phones, entering data, and soaking up the unique Quixote history while finishing his MPP degree at the University of Maryland, College Park. Since then, and now as Associate Director, he has taken on new responsibilities: he coordinates the Quest for Peace, writes articles for the Quixote blog, collaborates on fundraising, newsletters, and planning for the Center’s sundry programs, and takes on administrative tasks around the office as needed. In his spare time he enjoys exploring DC with his fiancé, Malinda, and backpacking/camping whenever a perfect weekend happens.
Ericka Holland became interested in social justice after watching the movie “Dead Man Walking.” She was so profoundly affected by the movie she began researching the criminal justice system. She found out about the Quixote Center after attending a death penalty protest in 1997. In 2005, she came to the Quixote Center to work with the Equal Justice USA project answering inmate mail. In 2006, she began volunteer work with the Grassroots Investigation Project, and is continuing her research work on a part-time basis. When not at the Center, she spends time with her family and her dog, Bailey.
Nilajah Nyasuma, a native of the District of Columbia and a staunch advocate for social justice, received a master’s degree in human services from Lincoln University in 2002. Recently, she completed her doctoral studies in Urban Educational Leadership at Morgan State University and is slated to earn her degree in May 2012. Her dissertation research focused on educational leadership and social justice. Over the span of her 12-year career in public service, Nyasuma has remained committed to advocating for the empowerment of underserved and traditionally oppressed communities. This commitment to justice is what led her to work for The Quixote Center.
Dolly Pomerleau
Tom Ricker previously worked at the Quixote Center from 2001-2008 coordinating policy work on Central America, trade policy and later coordinating Haiti Reborn. He has been back since October 2011 as the director of the Quixote Center. Tom has worked in international solidarity and policy since 1995 as a grassroots activist and staff for organizations like Witness for Peace, Jubilee USA Network and the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network. Tom also teaches government courses for the University of Maryland/University College and is the writer, singer, guitar player for the band Minivan Gogh. Tom currently lives in Houston with his partner Kim and son Benny.
Claudia Whitman is the volunteer coordinator of the Grassroots Investigation Project.